How to read in a second language

Second-language reading

It can be both rewarding and frustrating to read in a second language, especially when the flow of your reading is interrupted by the need to pause, re-read a section, look up a word in a dictionary and so on.

With a lot of reading to get done in a second language, some of your reading will need to aim for general understanding rather than detailed word-for-word comprehension.

Second-language reading can be broken down into two different approaches that help each other.

Intensive reading

• involves reading word by word
• involves understanding every word and form
• develops higher-level language processing
• promotes language accuracy

Extensive reading

• is reading for general understanding
• is vital for the development of automaticity in low-level language processing
• promotes language fluency

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When to read intensively or extensively

While some of your reading will need to be intensive (i.e. reading every word with a dictionary close at hand), most of your reading will be extensive, with the goal of reading for general understanding.

The following is a process to encourage extensive reading:

• Read a section of text (a chapter, page or section) to the very end, without worrying too much about understanding the details.
• Can you summarise the meaning of the text? What are the main events, characters, facts and information?
• Re-read the text – can you build on your understanding from the first read?
• Once you understand the main narrative, continue to the next chapter or section – avoid the need to understand everything!
• Keep a notebook to hand to jot down any important or recurrent words to look up later.

With practice, this technique will become easier and provide a more rewarding way to approach texts in a second language.

Explore short courses in academic reading and writing to build on your skills.

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Book our workshop on reading academic texts effectively including dealing with unknown vocabulary.

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Top Tips

• Set yourself targets, for example to read a chapter in twenty minutes. Remember to keep the targets challenging but realistic.
• Try reading out loud – this will help with the fluency of both your reading and speaking.
• Use your second language as much as possible outside the classroom, for example by joining a student society.
• Don't overdo it. Reading in a second language is demanding and you will not be able to maintain full concentration for long periods of time – take  plenty of breaks.

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Next steps

• How to read efficiently
• How to read for understanding
• How to manage your time